Involving you

Belfast Trust is committed to improving the quality and effectiveness of personal and public involvement to:

• improve service delivery
• improve the experiences of services users and carers when they access health and social care in Belfast Trust
• reduce inequalities in health
• promote health and social wellbeing

The involvement of service users, carers and the wider public can lead to positive impacts on service delivery. Effective involvement is central to the delivery of high quality, effective and equitable care provision and can lead to improvements in the experience of those using services.

In this section, you can find out more about the different ways you can get involved.

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Co-Production Week 2025

Throughout this week, we are delighted to be recognising Co-Production week. Over the course of the week we will sharing information about Co-Production and how you can get involved.

PPI/Service User Involvement

A process where service users/carers and the public are empowered and enabled to inform and influence the commissioning, planning, delivery and evaluation of Health and Social Care services in ways that are relevant and meaningful to them. Together, improving care, transforming lives.

What is Co-Production?

A value driven approach where Health and Social Care providers and service users/carers work collaboratively to plan, design and deliver services.

Useful Links:

Co-Production Week
SHSCT Service User Video
Co-Production Week: What is it and how do we do it?
Examples of Co-Production in Social Care

 

 

1. We are not tick boxes “Have conversations with me about what matters to me.” “We are more than headings in an assessment.”	2. There is so much more going on that you know… “Remember what you see on the surface may not be what is going on with me.” “Always think about how I might be feeling.”
3. We are all individuals – find the balance “What works for me will not work for someone else.” “One size does not fit all.” “Get to know us.”	4. Never forget how valuable your feedback is for you and for us “Our stories help make services better.” “We need our voices to be heard.” “Honest feedback is not complaining, it’s tomorrow’s universal teaching.”
5. Listen with intent to understand “Do not be afraid to ask me questions.” “Listen and learn from me.” “Always think about what could be better.”	6. Caring is a journey travelled alone. With your kindness we can navigate the journey together “Remember we can feel frightened and overwhelmed.” “We can’t be strong all the time.”
7. ‘Rock the boat’ “Act on what you hear.” “Do not be afraid to challenge the status quo.” “Change can be a really good thing.”	8. You are the service we all rely on “Our relationship with you is important to us.” “Let’s get it right together.” “Let me know if you are going to be late.”
9. Do not expect us to tell you bravely what we think “We need your support to be honest with you.” “Build my confidence so I can give you honest feedback.”	10. Calling me back means more than you will ever know “Remember I am waiting for you to call.” “Putting me first means keeping me informed.”

 

The HSC Trusts are committed to improving service delivery through the involvement of service users, carers, health professionals, and all other relevant organisations.
Service users and carers lived experience is a valuable resource that allows the service to be viewed as a whole, therefore allowing for more effective decision making through
the collaboration of the service deliverer and service recipient.

Below is an example of a successful coproduction project, which outlines the positive impact of involvement when people are included from the start in a coproduction approach.

Project Title: Coproducing a dementia information booklet
Project Description: Working in partnership, with Alzheimer’s Society, Dementia NI, people living with Dementia, carers and Belfast Trust staff to coproduce a one stop shop information booklet for service users and carers living in Belfast Trust area.
What did you do? We have created a task and finish / focus group to steer this work. They meet monthly and bring their lived experience to the group to inform and coproduce: content design layout and distribution of the booklet. The PPI team have also worked with Dementia NI empowerment groups and have questionnaires across partner’s social media for wider inclusion.	How well did you do it? There has been an inclusive approach to this work, to explore, include and involve as wider population with experience and knowledge of dementia as possible The monthly coproduction focus groups are well attended with approx. 14 – 20 participants at each meeting. Group members also source information to bring back to the focus group and bring ideas for inclusion The PPI team collate the discussion and material between each meeting for the group to review at the following meeting The booklet is being co-produced with joint decision making around what is included and how it will be presented within the booklet
Is Anyone Better Off and Future Planning? This work is still ongoing but it is hoped the booklet with be a one stop information booklet written by and for people living with dementia and carers. To provide information about dementia, Trust services, support and community organisations.

 

SCOPE Training:
Service user Carer Opportunity to Participate and Engage

Supporting you to get involved
This two hour training session aims to equip you with the knowledge for getting involved.
This includes:
• An overview of healthcare in Northern Ireland and Belfast Health and Social Care Trust
• An explanation of what involvement means and what it might look like within Belfast Trust.

Register to attend using this link: SCOPE Training Sign Up Form

If you would like to find out more about SCOPE training please e-mail: PPI@belfasttrust.hscni.net

Co-production spotlight

This video features Drew, a social care trainer with the Vocational Team, and John, an expert through lived experience. This video highlights how both professionals and service users can collaborate to improve training and service delivery.

In the video, Drew and John answer questions about what co-production means to them and why it’s so important in creating services that truly work for everyone. Their perspectives — one from a professional’s point of view, and the other from lived experience — showcase the power of co-production to transform services into something that reflects real needs, rather than assumptions.

This video is just one example of how co-production can bring about meaningful change in our systems, we hope it encourages others to get involved.

It is important that the Trust lets you know what happens after you have been involved in a piece of work. It is important because it demonstrates to you that the Trust is listening. It also shows that you have been able to influence and support improvements. It will encourage you and others to get involved again.

There are different ways to let people know:
• Short reports
• Feedback at meetings
• Posters
• Flyers
• Newsletters / bulletins

If you have been involved with the Trust and have not been told what has happened afterwards, contact the team you were working with for feedback.

If you would like to join the Trust Involvement Network and hear more about involvement projects please register using this link: BHSCT Involvement Network Registration Form

This is what people have said about getting involved in Belfast Trust, “I really enjoyed participation in this project and felt heard with contributions taken on board to make adjustments.”

Are you interested in helping to shape and design health and social care services?
The Engage website has a range of resources and information about how service users and carers can become involved.
https://engage.hscni.net/